Harnessing social capital: What the writers’ and actors’ strike teaches us about the power of networks
Image generated by Erin Fitzpatrick using Bing Image Creator
On May 2nd, 2023, members of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) put down their pens and turned off their computers. Instead of writing screenplays and scripts, they wrote placards and took to the streets to protest the behind-the-times pay structure and other labour issues perpetuated by the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). Across the US, entertainment and other industry unions have voiced their support for this strike, with some Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) members walking the picket lines in solidarity. That was, until July 14, 20231.
Seventy-three days after the WGA began striking, SAG-AFTRA officially joined them on the picket lines. Many of the productions which had continued in that time halted as actors walked off sets, out of interviews, and away from film premieres. The combined might of these two unions could stall much of the next season of television, leaving many broadcasting and streaming services without new content. Moreso, the mobilisation and activation of resources and contacts, both hierarchically and otherwise, serves to bring light to industrial issues and exert pressure on production companies to create positive change.
The shared resources that allow people to work as a group, often towards a common goal is known as social capital, while the resources available to those within a hierarchy are known as linking capital2. Despite the divide and conquer mindset of studio executives, the writers and actors are utilising their synergistic relationships to work together (officially) in a labour dispute for the first time in 60 years.
This kind of hierarchical collaboration is something I’m exploring in my PhD study. Being able to harness and employ interpersonal resources is important across all stages and facets of life, not just in the entertainment industry. As we see here, activating this capital can be key to achieving goals. This is especially true of young people who, similarly to actors, often participate in casual or gig work.
Actors and writers of all levels are working together to ensure better working conditions for all. While the capital they’ve been using has been largely intangible, those who can afford to have also contributed to the Entertainment Community Fund. This is a charitable fund, and these donations will ensure that those hit hardest by this fight have support of all kinds for the duration of the strike.
Union collaboration is nothing new, nor is the sharing of resources, expertise, and influence in industrial action3. The use of linking capital, these connections between unions, people, and organisations, is one of the main strengths of unions. Linking capital has been used to create lasting industrial relations changes time and again, including in the entertainment industry3. It encourages both union members and non-members to participate in change movements. In fact, it can be used to facilitate change, share information, and provide opportunities in everyday life.
My study, the People Places Pathways project, seeks to explore how social capital, including linking capital, is created and used by young people in everyday life and the different ways this happens depending on place of residence. Watching this unfold, I’m led to wonder what young people could do if they banded together, and especially if they were linked in with services. WGA and SAG-AFTRA are powerhouse services. One can only imagine what young people could achieve with adequate and considered service supports.
Erin Fitzpatrick, PhD Candidate & Research Assistant
References
Patten, D. (2023, July 11). Hollywood studios’ WGA strike endgame is to let writers go broke before resuming talks in fall [News Site]. Deadline. Available from <https://deadline.com/2023/07/writers-strike-hollywood-studios-deal-fight-wga-actors-1235434335/>.
Szreter, S., & Woolcock, M. (2004). Health by association? Social capital, social theory, and the political economy of public health. International Journal of Epidemiology, 33(4), 650–667. <https://doi.org/10.1093/ije/dyh013>.
Saundry, R., Stuart, M., & Antcliff, V. (2012). Social capital and union revitalization: A study of worker networks in the UK audio-visual industries. British Journal of Industrial Relations, 50(2), 263–286. <https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8543.2011.00850.x>.